Whitecaps FC loan Simon Thomas to FC Edmonton for weekend stint

VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that goalkeeper Simon Thomas will join North American Soccer League (NASL) club FC Edmonton on loan this weekend for their home match on Sunday against Tampa Bay Rowdies at Clarke Stadium. Following this weekend’s match, Thomas will return to Vancouver to resume training with Whitecaps FC.

Thomas, 23, rejoined Whitecaps FC on February 25, 2013, after spending the 2011-12 season with English League One club Huddersfield Town FC. So far in 2013, Thomas has appeared in five matches with Whitecaps FC Reserves, making three starts. Additionally, the native of Victoria, BC, has started three matches for Whitecaps FC U-23 in the United Soccer Leagues (USL) Premier Development League (PDL).

In Edmonton, Thomas will reconnect with FC Edmonton head coach Colin Miller, who coached the 6-foot-3 goalkeeper during his first spell with Whitecaps FC in 2010. Miller has also coached Thomas during his time as interim head coach of the Canadian men’s national team. This past year Thomas made his debut for the Canadian men’s national team, coming on as a substitute for Lars Hirschfeld in a friendly against Denmark on January 26, 2013. That debut was quickly followed up by his first start, keeping a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw against the United States on January 29, 2013. Thomas, a product of the Whitecaps FC Residency program, was most recently called up for Canada’s friendly against Costa Rica this past Tuesday, May 28, at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium.